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News Coronavirus and NRL

jim_57

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
4,287
that’s why I’d aim for the magic weekends at end of season. Hopefully by late sept/Oct we’ll be back outside again.

Hopefully, but I'd say large crowds at the sport will be one of the last things to return. If it's looking promising in August-September I can still see the government playing it safe until the NRL & AFL seasons are done. Last thing they'd want is another flare-up from an NRL or AFL game just after they bring back crowds.
 
Messages
295
Hopefully, but I'd say large crowds at the sport will be one of the last things to return. If it's looking promising in August-September I can still see the government playing it safe until the NRL & AFL seasons are done. Last thing they'd want is another flare-up from an NRL or AFL game just after they bring back crowds.

I both think & hope you’re right. We can’t be complacent.
 

stryker

First Grade
Messages
5,277
You have completely missed the point being made about the contract issue.



No. There is a contract to tell each party their obligations.
You have completely missed my point.
All contracts have to be reinterpreted now this event has occured.
 

stryker

First Grade
Messages
5,277
Rubbish, they have exploited and exaggerated and mislead the public to drive their agenda for years.

For example let's go back to the Bulldogs and Coffs Harbour, the alleged rape. The media went ballistic and dragged the game's name through the mud for weeks, today they never mention it. The police new within hours the players were innocent yet the media still went ballistic at the game for weeks.
What agenda tinman?
 

Cactus

Juniors
Messages
677
Anyway.....so here is where it starts to become interesting and where maybe some of the real reason why 9 came out with such hostile rhetoric.

I have highlighted the very interesting bit in paragraph 3 which hints (underlined) at the potential cause of 9s crankiness and the current contractual mexican standoff.

Global company pitches NRL plan to save tens of millions on broadcasts
The NRL has been approached about forming a venture to produce its broadcast content in-house in a move that could slash tens of millions of dollars in annual costs.

The Sun-Herald can reveal a third party with extensive global sports production experience has pitched a proposal to powerbrokers at Rugby League Central that could revolutionise the way rugby league telecasts are produced. The parties met to discuss the idea for the next broadcast deal, which could allow for an increased number of rights holders when the existing contract expires at the end of the 2022 season.

However, those discussions could be fast-tracked given the uncertainty around whether the current broadcast partners, Foxtel and Nine – publishers of The Sun-Herald have the desire or means to fulfil their obligations.

The third party, which wishes to remain anonymous, is proposing to bring its infrastructure and expertise to the NRL to transform it into an organisation capable of broadcasting matches and associated content itself. It is estimated that production costs could be reduced by as much as 50 per cent for every game. The potential to reduce costs is timely given Rugby League Central spends almost $500,000 a day to run the competition just as the coronavirus outbreak has resulted in a massive downturn in revenue.

Those behind the pitch believe the quality of the product will be every bit as good as current telecasts. The initiative would also give the NRL creative and editorial control and could open the door for other sports to use the services. It also opens up the prospect of rugby league being on-sold to a mix of traditional broadcasters, including free-to-air and pay TV, as well as Netflix, Google, Optus and Amazon. Those platforms could also potentially be involved in simulcast arrangements with traditional partners.

The NRL has already committed $150 million towards its digital strategy, including a huge investment into nrl.com. That gives the game the option of providing more of its own exclusive content directly to subscribers or on-selling games to a variety of providers.

The Herald revealed in October that bringing production in-house was an option for the NRL. The model has been used overseas and locally, most notably by Supercars and tennis. A host of propositions – from ending simulcast arrangements, selling off State of Origin separately, and playing matches in quarters to increase advertising slots – have been workshopped with a view towards the next deal.

However, all of those options could immediately come into play should Nine and Fox seek a return to the table to renegotiate the current arrangement.

Another option for future broadcast cycles is the prospect of one partner filming all of the games and then on-selling some of the content to other parties.

Rugby league has long gone with a two-partner model of a free-to-air and subscription provider. However, there are growing concerns about whether Foxtel can afford to meet its commitments, while Nine may be looking to renegotiate its deal after accusing the governing body of years of mismanagement and wastefulness.

Nine chief executive Hugh Marks was livid about being left out of the planning to resume the current season, which was halted due to the coronavirus crisis. NRL boss Todd Greenberg isn’t expected to play a meaningful role in peace talks following Nine’s stinging statement, which said millions of dollars had been squandered over the years by "a bloated head office completely ignoring the needs of the clubs, players and supporters."

This week’s talks between the broadcasters and the NRL will determine the length of the current season. RLPA chief executive Clint Newton said more games didn’t necessarily mean more revenue.

"Not necessarily, it depends on the timing of matches," Newton said. "It’s about maximising the amount of revenue. Sometimes more doesn’t mean more revenue because it comes down to the operational costs and the expenses that will be incurred."

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/gl...f-millions-on-broadcasts-20200411-p54j16.html
 

Danish

Referee
Messages
31,835
I don't really get Nick's point for blowing up. Now obviously any club who has lost 2 game is going to push for a reset, while any club who won 2 games will want those points to count. Thats obvious.

But would we really have not rested injured players if we'd known the season was shorter? IMO the answer is no.

A shorter season of course makes wins more important... but it also makes the top 4 less important. The reason you "need" to be in the top 4 after 26 rounds isn't because of some magical advantage gifted to teams in those first 4 slots. Its because if, after 26 rounds, your team is NOT in the top 4... well thats a pretty fair indication that you are simply off the pace. The cream definitively rises to the top after that long of a season.

But with a a half-length season? The rules completely change. The top 4 will be decided as much by injury as it will be talent under a shortened season. Throw in the fact there will be zero crowds and no home field advantage in the finals (since all games will be played out of only a couple venues) and making the top 4 is effectively pointless.
 

flippikat

Bench
Messages
4,378
The top 4 will be decided as much by injury as it will be talent under a shortened season. Throw in the fact there will be zero crowds and no home field advantage in the finals (since all games will be played out of only a couple venues) and making the top 4 is effectively pointless.

I can see your point.

Yes, in a reduced season, the top 4 (even top 8) will be more heavily influenced by injury & suspension than in a typical season.

However, making the top 4 will still be important if the playoff system is similar to what we're used to (second chances for high qualifying teams, with the opportunity to skip playoffs week 2 if they win in week 1). Top 8, top 5 or top 6.. there's typically been that kind of advantage afforded to the first 3 or 4 teams.

The only situation I can see where a high finish may not matter is in a straight knockout (8 teams or 4 teams). In that scenario, you could have minor premiers play the 8th placed team in a sudden death game in week one, where the 8th placed team had an average start, but came good towards the back end, squeaked into the playoffs & peaking at the right time.
 
Last edited:

Vee

First Grade
Messages
5,072
Anyway.....so here is where it starts to become interesting and where maybe some of the real reason why 9 came out with such hostile rhetoric.

I have highlighted the very interesting bit in paragraph 3 which hints (underlined) at the potential cause of 9s crankiness and the current contractual mexican standoff.

Global company pitches NRL plan to save tens of millions on broadcasts
The NRL has been approached about forming a venture to produce its broadcast content in-house in a move that could slash tens of millions of dollars in annual costs.

The Sun-Herald can reveal a third party with extensive global sports production experience has pitched a proposal to powerbrokers at Rugby League Central that could revolutionise the way rugby league telecasts are produced. The parties met to discuss the idea for the next broadcast deal, which could allow for an increased number of rights holders when the existing contract expires at the end of the 2022 season.

However, those discussions could be fast-tracked given the uncertainty around whether the current broadcast partners, Foxtel and Nine – publishers of The Sun-Herald have the desire or means to fulfil their obligations.

The third party, which wishes to remain anonymous, is proposing to bring its infrastructure and expertise to the NRL to transform it into an organisation capable of broadcasting matches and associated content itself. It is estimated that production costs could be reduced by as much as 50 per cent for every game. The potential to reduce costs is timely given Rugby League Central spends almost $500,000 a day to run the competition just as the coronavirus outbreak has resulted in a massive downturn in revenue.

Those behind the pitch believe the quality of the product will be every bit as good as current telecasts. The initiative would also give the NRL creative and editorial control and could open the door for other sports to use the services. It also opens up the prospect of rugby league being on-sold to a mix of traditional broadcasters, including free-to-air and pay TV, as well as Netflix, Google, Optus and Amazon. Those platforms could also potentially be involved in simulcast arrangements with traditional partners.

The NRL has already committed $150 million towards its digital strategy, including a huge investment into nrl.com. That gives the game the option of providing more of its own exclusive content directly to subscribers or on-selling games to a variety of providers.

The Herald revealed in October that bringing production in-house was an option for the NRL. The model has been used overseas and locally, most notably by Supercars and tennis. A host of propositions – from ending simulcast arrangements, selling off State of Origin separately, and playing matches in quarters to increase advertising slots – have been workshopped with a view towards the next deal.

However, all of those options could immediately come into play should Nine and Fox seek a return to the table to renegotiate the current arrangement.

Another option for future broadcast cycles is the prospect of one partner filming all of the games and then on-selling some of the content to other parties.

Rugby league has long gone with a two-partner model of a free-to-air and subscription provider. However, there are growing concerns about whether Foxtel can afford to meet its commitments, while Nine may be looking to renegotiate its deal after accusing the governing body of years of mismanagement and wastefulness.

Nine chief executive Hugh Marks was livid about being left out of the planning to resume the current season, which was halted due to the coronavirus crisis. NRL boss Todd Greenberg isn’t expected to play a meaningful role in peace talks following Nine’s stinging statement, which said millions of dollars had been squandered over the years by "a bloated head office completely ignoring the needs of the clubs, players and supporters."

This week’s talks between the broadcasters and the NRL will determine the length of the current season. RLPA chief executive Clint Newton said more games didn’t necessarily mean more revenue.

"Not necessarily, it depends on the timing of matches," Newton said. "It’s about maximising the amount of revenue. Sometimes more doesn’t mean more revenue because it comes down to the operational costs and the expenses that will be incurred."

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/gl...f-millions-on-broadcasts-20200411-p54j16.html
Clickbait, no detail on how they intend saving half production costs.
 
Messages
11,594
I can see your point.

Yes, in a reduced season, the top 4 (even top 8) will be more heavily influenced by injury & suspension than in a typical season.

However, making the top 4 will still be important if the playoff system is similar to what we're used to (second chances for high qualifying teams, with the opportunity to skip playoffs week 2 if they win in week 1). Top 8, top 5 or top 6.. there's typically been that kind of advantage afforded to the first 3 or 4 teams.

The only situation I can see where a high finish may not matter is in a straight knockout (8 teams or 4 teams). In that scenario, you could have minor premiers play the 8th placed team in a sudden death game in week one, where the 8th placed team had an average start, but came good towards the back end, squeaked into the playoffs & peaking at the right time.


That week off in the finals was particularly handy due to fatigue caused by a regular long season. I’m interested to see how the finals play out this year with teams running on fresher legs. Leaving injuries and suspensions out of the equation of course.
 
Messages
295
That week off in the finals was particularly handy due to fatigue caused by a regular long season. I’m interested to see how the finals play out this year with teams running on fresher legs. Leaving injuries and suspensions out of the equation of course.

I said after last year, I’m very content for Easts to take a few years off winning...but the tears that will flow & the excuses that will be made about COVID have renewed my hunger now :joy:
 

Canard

Immortal
Messages
34,147
Paul Kent is out to get Greenberg.

Has there ever been a reporter do more to harm Rugby League than this f**king sniper?

He lobbied to kill off the international round, said RL was dead when Fox sooked up, and is now death riding the game and Greenberg.

He is the @stryker of NRL journo's.
 

Timmah

LeagueUnlimited News Editor
Staff member
Messages
100,874
Why would horse racing be fine to go but not other sports?
Less participants, less support staff needed, less impact on medical requirements, less meetings... are you that naive?

I don't like that it's still going - sets a poor example IMO - but its a completely different kettle of fish than the NRL
 
Messages
295
Paul Kent is out to get Greenberg.

Has there ever been a reporter do more to harm Rugby League than this f**king sniper?

He lobbied to kill off the international round, said RL was dead when Fox sooked up, and is now death riding the game and Greenberg.

He is the @stryker of NRL journo's.

Even a broken clock is right twice a day.
 

mxlegend99

Referee
Messages
23,000
The only way the NRL could make this season even less relevant is wiping out results from the first 2 rounds. What was the point in going ahead with them if the results were not going to matter? We all knew the season would be stopped sooner or later.

Just cancel it altogether or do a 15 round season where each teams faces each other once. With the first 2 rounds already played.
 

Dave's mate

Juniors
Messages
1,783
Less participants, less support staff needed, less impact on medical requirements, less meetings... are you that naive?

I don't like that it's still going - sets a poor example IMO - but its a completely different kettle of fish than the NRL
No on gives a f**k what you like
 

Spot On

Coach
Messages
13,897
Less participants, less support staff needed, less impact on medical requirements, less meetings... are you that naive?

Can you enlighten us about the total number of participants at Randwick and Caulfield yesterday please.

Too general a statement from a person that requires a link for ever post made on LU.
 
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